Hydrangea plant named ‘BC9.2’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BC9.2’ originated as a controlled cross between the unpatented variety ‘Sabrina’ (the seed parent) and the patented variety ‘Glory’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,705). The cultivar ‘BC9.2’ has predominately white sepals (R.H.S. 155 C (white group) with edges of R.H.S. 63 A (red-purple group). The variety ‘BC9.2’ has large attractive inflorescences, distinct sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics.

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC9.2’.

Variety denomination: ‘BC9.2’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of the Saxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC9.2’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled cross between the unpatented, commercial variety known as ‘Sabrina’ which was the seed parent, and the patented, commercial variety ‘Glory’ which was the pollen parent. ‘Glory’ is the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,705, issued Feb. 2, 2010, to the same inventor.

The variety ‘BC9.2’ has large attractive inflorescences, a distinctive pigmentation pattern, and desirable characteristics for commercial growing and transport. The seed parent ‘Sabrina’ is less compact than the new variety. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similar varieties.

TABLE 1 U.S. Plant U.S. Plant Pat. Pat. No. U.S. Plant Pat. New Variety No. 20,705 15,912 No. 21,668 ‘BC9.2’ ‘Glory’ ‘White Robe’ ‘Merrit White’ Mature 11 cm wide × 14.5 cm × 16 cm wide × 15 cm wide × Large 16 cm long 18.5″ long 19 cm long 18 cm long Leaf size Stem Average Strong Strong Strong strength Sepal Both sides of Upper side of Both sides of Both sides of Pigmen- sepals are sepals is R.H.S. sepals are sepals are tation R.H.S. 155 C 155 D (white R.H.S. 155 R.H.S. 155 D (white group) group); D (white (white group). with edges of Underside group). R.H.S. 63 A of sepals is (red-purple R.H.S. 155 D group). (white group) Sepalous 50 mm 45 mm 65 mm to 75 60 mm to 70 Floret diameter mm mm Size

The new cultivar ‘BC9.2’ has been successfully asexually reproduced under controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay, Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishing characteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttings were taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexually reproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. show that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BC9.2’ remains firmly fixed through three generations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show the typical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit, dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the upperside of a panicle of the new variety, showing opened and unopened sepalous florets.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the center of a panicle of the new variety, showing sepalous florets and non-sepalous florets.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of sepalous florets of the new variety.

FIG. 7 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures are approximately 50 weeks old. The plant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. The plant was pinched early to promote lateral branches. Aluminum was not added to the soil of the observed plants. The plant shown is underwatered, but revived after water was added.

The new variety has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Color determinations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, located in Lieden.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a seedling     from a controlled cross between the unpatented variety known as     ‘Sabrina’ which was the seed parent and the patented variety ‘Glory’     which was the pollen parent. -   Form: Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature     inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 17″ high (with     stakes) and has a diameter of 20″ when grown in a 6″ pot with     appropriate soil amendments. The pictured plant had seven stems with     one inflorescence per stem with 1 cutting per pot. -   Growth: Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is large. The     plant branches easily with shoots forming at the base of the plant.     Lateral branches are similar in appearance and form to the main     stems. -   Stems: Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet     group) and are 1 to 4 mm long. The surface of young stems is     glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young     stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 144 A (green group). The     older portions of the stems are R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown group)     Younger portions of the stems are 5 to 6 mm in diameter. Older     portions of the stems are 5 to 6 mm in diameter. -   Foliage: Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral branches.     -   -   Shape of leaf.—Elliptic with acute base and apex. Margins             are serrate.         -   Texture.—Glabrous; veins dominate on the underside of the             leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf surface.         -   Color.—Mature leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 147 A             (yellow-green group), and an under side that is R.H.S. 138 A             (green group). Leaves are pinnately veined. The midvein and             veins branching off the midvein are large and prominent on             the underside of the leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 138 B (green             group). Leaves are as wide as 11 cm and 16 cm long. Petioles             are smooth and 4-5 cm long and 4 mm wide. Petioles are             R.H.S. 138 A (green group).

BUDS

-   Form: Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals. Most     buds, whether they will mature into sepalous or non-sepalous     florets, have 4 petals. Buds in the center of the inflorescence are     non-sepalous. The majority of buds will develop into sepalous     florets. Buds can be 3 mm in diameter and still unopened. -   Aspect: Smooth. -   Arrangement: Borne on branched panicles.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 [[or more]] individual     flowers (florets) per inflorescence. Both sepalous florets and     non-sepalous florets borne on same panicle. Flowers do not produce a     fragrance. The peduncle [[or panicle]] for the inflorescence is     strong and upright. Very few non-sepalous florets developing early     on cymes that are later hidden by sepalous florets. Florets, both     sepalous and non-sepalous, have anthers and style. Inflorescences     are long-lasting, up to six weeks. -   Size of inflorescence: Large and globose. Individual inflorescence     size is dependent on the number of florets. A typical inflorescence     can grow as large as 9″ in diameter and be 5″ high. -   Shape: Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets overlap     one another. Sepals are persistent. -   Appearance: Showy.

FLORETS

-   General: The non-sepalous florets at the center of the inflorescence     open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets are perfect and     complete.     -   -   Corolla.—Generally, for both sepalous and non-sepalous             florets there are 4 petals which fall off as flower matures.             Petals are typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Pedicel length             for non-sepalous florets averages 4 mm. Pedicel length of             sepalous florets is between 30 and 40 mm in length for             plants of this age. Pedicels of both sepalous and             non-sepalous florets continue to elongate as the             inflorescence ages. Lenticels are present on pedicels of             both sepalous and non-sepalous florets, lenticels are no             more than 1 mm long. Lenticels are R.H.S. 59 B (red-purple             group). Base of the pedicel is R.H.S. 64 A (red-purple             group), remainder is R.H.S. 155 C (white group). Petals of             both sepalous and non-sepalous florets are R.H.S. 155 C             (white group) with tips that are R.H.S. 74 A (red-purple             group). Petals typically fall off with the reproductive             organs. -   Stamens: 10 stamens. Pollen is R.H.S. 155 C (white group). Plant     produces abundant pollen. Filament is approximately 1 mm long.     Filament is R.H.S. 155 C (white Group). Anther is 1 mm long and is     regular and basally attached. -   Stigma: Two to three style. Each style has one stigma. Style is     typically 1 mm long. Style is R.H.S. 155 C (white group). Stigma is     R.H.S. 155 C (white group). -   Ovary: Ovary is partially inferior. -   Sepalous florets:     -   -   General.—Veins dominate on the underside of the sepals.         -   Number of sepals.—4 or 5 sepals per floret, usually 4.         -   Aspect of sepals.—Smooth and glaucescent.         -   Shape of sepals.—Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are             entire, but with some crenation.         -   Size of sepals.—As the florets mature, the sepals enlarge             and overlap each other more and more, until, often, there is             no space between the sepals when the petals of the florets             open. Sepals at maturity are typically 3.0 cm long and 3.0             cm wide. Flowers are typically 5 cm in diameter. The             pigmentation of the uppersides and undersides of the sepals             are the same: predominantly R.H.S. 155 C (white group) with             edges of R.H.S. 63 A (red-purple group). -   Fruit: None. -   Disease and pest resistance: Unknown. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named ‘BC9.2’ substantially as herein shown and described. 